HOW TO PREVENT THE FLU

September 10, 2024

HOW TO PREVENT THE FLU

Streu’s Pharmacy Bay Natural has been a local, independent and trusted pharmacy in Green Bay for over 70 years. In addition to sharing these ways to prevent illness, we will be accepting appointments & walk-ins for flu shots and COVID boosters on Monday mornings from 9/16/24 – 11/18/24.

FLU PREVENTION TIPS: THE BASICS

It’s important to remember that flu (and colds) can be prevented with common methods recommend by the CDC.

Avoid contact with sick people

Be smart and considerate about who you see and when. Unless you are in a caregiving situation and cannot avoid contact, don’t hesitate to ask friends, family, co-workers and others how they’re feeling before you see them. Consider postponing your plans if someone isn’t feeling well.

Stay home when you’re ill

If you aren’t feeling well, stay home (if you able). Friends and family may be able to drop off things for you. Delivery and curbside pick-up for take out meals, groceries and other household needs are widely available as well.

Wash your hands regularly

We can’t say it enough! Hand washing is one of the simplest ways to prevent the flu. Wash hands often and for a full minute or two with soap and warm water. The CDC has a page dedicated to good hand washing hygiene that includes statistics and data, tools to help young children establish good hand washing routines, and more.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, and cover coughs and sneezes

Make a conscious effort to avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, as these are the places on the body that contain fluids which can spread viruses. In addition, make sure that any time you cough or sneeze you are covering it with a sleeve or tissue.

When in doubt, wear a mask

Now that wearing a mask is much more normalized, consider masking in public places or in situations in which you cannot avoid being near someone who might be sick.

Maintain healthy habits

In addition to regular masking, handwashing and staying home when you’re unwell, these common healthy habits can also keep sickness at bay:

• Clean frequently touched surfaces often
• Prioritize your sleep schedule and get plenty of rest
• Stay hydrated by drinking the recommended eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day
• Eat a nutrient rich diet with plenty of fruits veggies and whole grains

GET THE FLU VACCINE

The flu vaccine has been studied in depth for many years, and each year the CDC conducts studies to determine how it protects against the flu illness. It is well established that the flu vaccine prevents millions of people from getting sick each year, reducing the risk of flu illness by between 40% and 60% among the overall population, as well as reducing severity and the number of deaths from flu and flu-related illnesses.

When and where can I get vaccinated?

It is recommended that you get the flu vaccine in September or early October to ensure your immunity lasts throughout flu season, which is generally considered to end in February/March. We are accepting appointments & walk-ins for flu shots and COVID boosters on Monday mornings from 9/16/24 – 11/18/24.

Schedule your preferred appointment* time online or by phone at 920-593-2465.

Check with your health care professional if you have concerns about the flu vaccine being safe for your specific situation and needs. The two primary reasons people shouldn’t get the vaccine are:

• An allergy to any of the ingredients in the vaccine.
• The patient has ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS).

How can we limit the spread of flu at school and work?

• Consider holding a flu vaccine clinic at your place of businesses each year. The nursing team at Streu’s Pharmacy would be happy to discuss this option. We have many years of experience delivering a large number of vaccines on-site at workplaces, assisted living facilities, and other public venues.
• Encourage sick students and employees to stay home. Many schools already have guidelines in place about staying home for at least 24 hours after having a fever of 100 degrees or higher.
• Provide resources to prevent the spread. Ensure your work or school setting is well-stocked with plenty of hand soap, hand sanitizer, tissues, and towels.
• Have additional cleaning products available on a self-serve basis, including sanitizing spray or masks.

Have more questions?

Have more questions about how to prevent the flu? Stop in or call our nursing team at 920-593-2465.

*Appointments strongly encouraged to minimize wait time.